With its unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases, the Discover it® Miles is an excellent choice for occasional travelers looking for a straightforward rewards card. It offers a 1:1 value for all redemption options, making it a practical option even when you’re not traveling.

However, frequent travelers might find better value and more perks with other cards.

Continue reading to discover when the Discover it Miles is a great addition to your wallet — and when you might want to consider other options.

When is the Discover it Miles worth it?

If you’re seeking a hassle-free way to earn and redeem rewards for travel purchases or cash back, the Discover it Miles could be perfect for you. It provides a flat-rate reward on all your spending, eliminating the need to track bonus categories or activate rewards each quarter. There’s no earning cap, your miles never expire, and there’s no minimum redemption amount required. Plus, it has no annual fee, setting it apart from many other travel cards.

This card may be a great fit for you if:

You want simple, flexible rewards

Earning rewards with the Discover it Miles is straightforward—you’ll earn 1.5X miles on every purchase you make. Each mile is valued at 1 cent, regardless of how you choose to redeem them.

Redemption is highly flexible. You can use your miles for cash back directly deposited into your bank account, apply them to Amazon or PayPal purchases, or even cover your card’s minimum payment. Additionally, you can redeem miles as statement credits for past travel expenses.

Although the card is marketed as a travel card, its flat-rate rewards and versatile redemption options make it equally suitable as a standard cash back card. It’s a solid choice for those who don’t travel frequently.

You want a welcome bonus without a spend requirement

The Discover it Miles offers a generous Cashback Match welcome bonus that adds extra value during your first year. All the miles you accumulate in the first year of having the card will be matched with no limit after your account’s first anniversary, even if you’ve redeemed some of them before the year ends.

For example, if you earn 15,000 miles in your first year, Discover will match that amount, giving you a total of 30,000 miles (equivalent to $300 in cash back). This bonus is especially appealing because it allows you to earn rewards over an entire year, rather than a few months, and there’s no minimum spending requirement—you’ll receive the match no matter how much you charge on the card.

You’re planning a trip or large purchase

With the Discover it Miles card, you’ll enjoy an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After this period, the ongoing variable APR ranges from 17.24% to 28.24%.

This benefit is particularly advantageous for travelers who want to spread the cost of their vacation over time. With the introductory 0% APR, you can avoid paying interest on your travel expenses or balances that you don’t plan to pay off immediately. If you’re aiming to maximize the Cashback Match, this zero-interest offer can be especially valuable.

When is the Discover it Miles not worth it?

You often travel internationally

Discover cards generally have less global acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard. If you plan to use your card for international purchases, you might want to consider a Visa or Mastercard for broader acceptance.

However, if you choose a Discover card and plan to travel abroad, you can enjoy the benefit of not being charged foreign transaction fees, wherever the card is accepted.

You want to use a travel portal or transfer partners

The Discover it Miles card allows you to redeem miles for statement credits toward past travel expenses like hotel stays, flights, and rental cars. However, Discover doesn’t offer a travel portal where you can book travel directly with your miles, nor does it provide transfer options to hotel or airline loyalty programs for potentially higher value.

For more flexible redemption options and the ability to use an issuer’s travel portal or transfer partners, consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. This card earns 1.25X miles on all eligible purchases, which can be redeemed for travel through the Capital One portal at a value of 1 cent per mile. You may also find greater value by transferring rewards to one of Capital One’s transfer partners. Additionally, you can use your miles to get reimbursed for past travel purchases at a 1-cent-per-mile rate, and the card has no annual fee.

You want card perks

While the Discover it Miles card offers a low cost of ownership, it also means you might miss out on several common travel credit card benefits. This card lacks travel protections such as trip delay insurance, rental car coverage, and concierge services. Additionally, it doesn’t offer perks like annual statement credits, airport lounge access, or other amenities typically found with premium travel credit cards. However, these premium cards often come with higher annual fees, which the Discover it Miles card avoids.

Should you get the Discover it Miles?

The Discover it Miles card can be a solid choice for travel, but it may not be ideal for every traveler. It’s especially valuable for those who travel infrequently or plan to spend modestly on travel.

With no annual fee, cardholders avoid the burden of offsetting a yearly cost. Plus, the 1:1 redemption value allows you to use the card like a cash back credit card.

For those planning to pay off vacation costs over time or carry a balance for travel expenses, this card can be a worthwhile option.

However, frequent travelers might find greater value in cards with higher rewards rates, the ability to transfer rewards to partner programs, and additional travel benefits and protections.

In Conclusion

If you’re seeking a solid entry-level travel card, the Discover it Miles card is worth considering. While it may not offer the high-end perks of premium travel cards, it includes valuable features like the first-year miles matching, making it a great option for those new to rewards travel. However, frequent travelers and seasoned rewards card users may find more value in cards with more advanced benefits and higher rewards rates.